The Global Carbon Cycle

Which scientific discipline studies the mechanics of the Universe?

• chemistry

• psychology

• biology

• physics

Which scientific discipline studies life and living organisms?

• astronomy

• psychology

• biology

• physics

Which scientific discipline studies human mental functions and behavior?

• astronomy

• psychology

• biology

• physics

Discussions of global warming often focus on the spiking atmospheric concentrations of which gas?

• ammonia

• methane

• nitrogen

• carbon dioxide

The early Earth's atmosphere was made up of several gases, but essentially there was no free ___

• methane

• nitrogen

• oxygen

• carbon dioxide

Gases that absorb heat energy, thus increasing the average temperature on Earth, are called ___

• thermodynamic gases

• greenhouse gases

• volatile substances

• adiabatic absorbers

What do chemists call "organic carbon", which is nature's equivalent of a battery?

• reduced carbon

• oxidized carbon

• radioactive carbon

• rarified coal

Which element is foremost in the transfer of energy between organisms and trapping heat in our atmosphere?

• nitrogen

• sulfur

• hydrogen

• carbon

Which square on the periodic table does carbon occupy?

• square 1

• square 4

• square 6

• square 12

Plants use the carbon in atmospheric CO₂ to make ___

• vitamins and nutrients

• lipids and fats

• amino acids and proteins

• sugars and other carbohydrates